Lynddahl Telecom America (LTA), a duct solutions company for fiber optics installations, has just announced plans to invest over $5.6 million in Gaston County to build their new US headquarters. The Belmont facility will be the company’s first ever plastic extrusion production site in North America.

The new 55,000-square-foot facility will create jobs for production managers, plastics engineers, administrative staff, and technicians, offering an average annual wage of $60,315, higher than Gaston County’s average. This move is expected to generate a significant annual payroll impact in the region.

“North Carolina is benefiting yet again from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Lynddahl Telecom’s decision to make Gaston County its North American home,” said Governor Cooper in a press release. “Expanding access to high-speed internet is imperative to closing our digital divide, and having companies in our corner that are well-equipped to extend broadband throughout our rural regions puts us closer to high quality internet for everyone.”

Lynddahl Telecom America Inc. (LTA), a duct solutions company for fiber optics installations, announced it will create 54 jobs and invest $5.5 million over the next 3 years to establish its first North American plastic extrusion production site in Belmont. https://t.co/iNCH0940g7 pic.twitter.com/AUAEYRKiH0

— Economic Development Partnership of NC (@EDPNC) January 10, 2024

LTA’s expansion is supported by a $100,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, contingent on meeting job creation and investment targets, along with local government matching contributions.

Charlotte-based Everwood Hospitality Partners (Everwood) and Scarlett Hotel Group (Scarlett) are excited to announce a strategic partnership to leverage their combined resources and deep knowledge of the hospitality investment and management industry. Hotel management is merging under the Scarlett brand while Scarlett principals are joining the Everwood team as principals of the investment practice. Everwood is rebranding to Everwood Capital Partners and will focus on investment, asset management, development, and capital deployment.

“The partnership of Everwood and Scarlett creates a significant new player in the hotel business,” said Amit Govin, principal of Everwood Capital Partners. “All of us are highly committed to creating robust investment opportunities as well as unforgettable experiences for hotel guests. Our new partners and our corporate support team have meshed incredibly well over the last several months of integration. This couldn’t have been accomplished without the support of our corporate team members that joined the Scarlett operations team,” continued Govin. “Scarlett’s incredible leadership culture combined with Everwood’s natural data-driven perspective will support strong operational synergies,” added Amit Patel, principal of Everwood Capital Partners.

“We’re thrilled to expand our reach in Charlotte and the hospitality industry at large by merging with Everwood,” said Zio Pekovic, principal of Scarlett. “Our two companies have incredibly compatible outlooks on the investment process. Together, we have more power to fuel growth for the properties we purchase and manage. This strategic realignment will also allow the combined companies to maximize their individual strengths and pursue new opportunities for growth.”

The newly combined investment and hotel management entity oversees a total of 17 hotels with 2,534 rooms across the U.S., with several additional properties in the pipeline. The expanded portfolio, which includes prestigious franchise names including Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, and IHG Hotels & Resorts, enables Scarlett and Everwood Capital Partners to offer an even broader range of exceptional accommodations, setting the stage for continued growth and influence in the industry.

About Everwood Capital Partners & Scarlett Hotel Group

With offices in Charlotte, Chicago, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Orlando, Everwood Capital Partners (Everwood) is a fully-integrated hotel owner, operator and developer that invests along the opportunistic risk spectrum. Everwood provides operational, financial and development services on its own behalf, as well as for third parties. Through Scarlett Hotel Group (Scarlett), Everwood’s affiliated operating company, Scarlett drives each hotel’s performance through a growth and development plan created specifically for the property’s key leaders based on their unique talents and the asset’s particular needs. The newly combined investment and hotel management entity currently oversees a total of 17 hotels with 2,534 rooms across the U.S., with several additional properties in the pipeline. The entity’s portfolio includes the most sought after franchise names including Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

The Carolina Panthers have officially appointed Dave Canales as their new head coach, a move confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This move comes just a few days after hiring Dan Morgan as our new President and GM.

Canales, who was hired last year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, was picked by the Panthers out of a pool of twelve candidates.

Panthers expected to hire Bucs OC Dave Canales as new head coach. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/ADnQsGckPC

— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2024

Canales’ coaching career began as an assistant strength coach at USC, where he transitioned to the NFL in 2010 alongside former Trojans football coach Pete Carroll, joining the Seattle Seahawks. During his tenure with the Seahawks, he held various roles, including wide receivers coach from 2010 to 2017, and later as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

In February 2023, Canales took on the role of offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers. There, he notably worked with Baker Mayfield, a former first-round pick who joined the team on a one-year deal. Canales has been credited with significantly enhancing the careers of quarterbacks, particularly Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. Under his mentorship, Mayfield achieved a standout season, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.

What do you think about the decision?

DEHN Inc., a German electrical engineering and manufacturing firm, has just announced plans to build their new US headquarters in Mooresville, a move that is set to create nearly 200 high-paying jobs in the region.

Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that the company will invest $38 million in building its facility in Mooresville.

“North Carolina’s global reputation as the best state for business continues to attract exceptional international companies like DEHN to places like Iredell County,” said Governor Cooper in a press release. “The industries of the future know they will find talented workers and the worker training and support systems necessary for success when they select North Carolina as their next business location.”

DEHN, Inc., a German electrical engineering and manufacturing company, announced it will invest $38.6 million in its new headquarters in Mooresville, creating 195 new jobs in Iredell County.

More here: https://t.co/FlNi86MTzW pic.twitter.com/yhitNHkk2z

— Economic Development Partnership of NC (@EDPNC) January 23, 2024

The positions at DEHN will offer varying wages depending on the role, with an average salary of $63,000.

DEHN’s new headquarters in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $523 million.

Frontier Airlines just announced several new direct flights from Charlotte to some of America’s top cities and vacation spots. To celebrate the new routes, the airline is offering a massive promotional offer for those who book their tickets early.

The new routes will include nonstop service from Charlotte to New York LaGuardia, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and Baltimore. Additionally, direct flights to Buffalo will begin in May and flights to San Juan will start in June.

To make things even better, Frontier is offering all these new routes for just $19 per seat.

🚨 Exciting news: We’ve just dropped 50+ NEW ROUTES! Fares and premium seat upgrades from $19*! https://t.co/kxiTgApedP

PLUS, get 15x Miles when you book today! Earn an extra 5x miles when you book by 1/30! ✈️ https://t.co/CXNUKENQUh

*Terms and conditions apply. pic.twitter.com/iseapYotfv

— Frontier Airlines (@FlyFrontier) January 23, 2024

Check out details about flight tickets and schedules for the new routes here.

Duke Energy has announced plans to increase rates for all customers in the greater Charlotte region in a staggered way over the next three years.

The plan was recently approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission to allow Duke Energy to increase rates by a total of 14.6%. The additional revenue generated from this increase will be allocated towards infrastructure development and support for low-income customers.

Duke released a press release about the decision, saying; “We believe this is a constructive outcome that enables Duke Energy to maintain strong progress toward building a cleaner, more reliable energy future for our North Carolina customers while continuing to meet the energy demands of a growing and economically vibrant region.”

Duke Energy issued the following statement in response to today’s order by the North Carolina Utilities Commission on the Performance-Based Regulation application. Read more: https://t.co/Kc2VLEYJcd

— Duke Energy (@DukeEnergy) December 16, 2023

Starting this month, Charlotte residents will see an 8.3% increase, then a 3.3% increase in 2025, and another 3% in 2026. The average customer’s monthly bill is expected to increase by a total of $21 at the end of the 3 increases.

To help lower income families out through the increases, the North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved a new aid program along with the increases, offering up to $42 per household to eligible families.

What do you think about the new plan?